Hughes demonstrated his new financial muscle by smashing the British transfer record to sign Robinho for £32.5million and has been promised more cash to buy the world's best players.

No other manager - not even Scolari or Ferguson - can match Hughes' riches and the Manchester City boss can detect the green-eyed monster in his peers.

"There is a little bit of envy from the other managers," said Hughes. "There's huge interest in everything we're trying to do here.

"I'm conscious of the fact that we are in a fantastic position and it's up to me and my staff to make sure this opportunity is fulfilled and that we are successful."

Hughes knows that with the millions from the Abu Dhabi United Group's takeover comes increased pressure to succeed.

But the Welshman insists he will not wilt under the intense spotlight.

"You are always under varying degrees of pressure," he said. "As a manager you have to live with that because that's the nature of the beast.

"I'm aware of the expectation levels around big clubs. I've been a player at big clubs and being a national manager, you have the hopes of the nation on your shoulders. There is pressure to succeed and if we are not successful then questions will be asked. That is understandable. It is something I have to deal with and there's no apprehension on my part.

"All the promises I was made in terms of resources have been fulfilled and it's up to me to deliver on the promises I made."

Hughes has been shrewd enough to get assurances from Abu Dhabi that he has their full support as manager and that they will not interfere in team affairs.

He was fully involved throughout in their dramatic capture of Robinho and will have a say in all transfers. "I've spoken to the people of both Thaksin Shinawatra and from Abu Dhabi and they view me and my staff as an asset to the club," he said.

"I've also been assured that football matters are within my remit - and that's how it should be. These decisions are my department and that's what I expect."

Hughes claims Chelsea are the perfect opponents to launch City's new era and cheekily claimed this "clash of the cash" - as he billed it - is bigger than Manchester United's showdown with Liverpool. Tomorrow's game at the City of Manchester Stadium is already a sell-out and Hughes says he missed the excitement of being involved in such big games.

"I know that there's huge interest in this game and, by all accounts, there's another quite large game going on the same day that this one has possibly superseded," he said.

"One of the main reasons I came here was that I missed the anticipation leading into big games like this three or four days in advance.

"I had it as a player playing for a lot of big teams and also when I was manager of Wales. I can feel that level of anticipation again and it excites me."